Stewards VISTA: Appalshop - Film Creative Economy -AmeriCorps

Position Title: Stewards VISTA: Appalshop - Film Creative Economy -AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements, East

Site Location: Appalshop

City, State or Full Address: 9404 HWY 805, STE B (Upstairs), Jenkins, KY 41537

Terms of Service:

Start Date: September 8, 2026

End Date: September 7, 2027

Must serve a 365-day (1 year) service term

Living Allowance: $68.39/day ($24,962.35/year)

Purpose:

Appalshop’s AmeriCorps Program advances community and economic development in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and across Eastern Kentucky by strengthening the Appalachian creative economy through film, media, and storytelling. Serving artists, filmmakers, and rural communities whose voices are often underrepresented, the program works to document, preserve, and amplify Appalachian experiences while building availability to creative resources and production opportunities. Guided by principles of cultural preservation, community engagement, collaboration, and capacity building, the program fosters a sustainable regional film ecosystem and supports long-term creative and economic resilience.

In this AmeriCorps Position, the member will research and map regional film assets, develop tracking systems and resource guides, and create outreach tools that help filmmakers navigate production opportunities and incentives. The member will also support staff by building organizational systems—such as databases, templates, and engagement materials—that strengthen partnerships and program delivery. This role enhances organizational capacity and directly supports the mission of this AmeriCorps Program by improving availability, coordination, and visibility within the Appalachian film ecosystem.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member will build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty in underserved communities.

Description of Duties:

·        Research existing film assets in the region

·        Research information about the Kentucky film incentive, and create internal and external resources for people to understand how to use it

·        Create contact lists, workflow templates, resource dashboards and outreach materials

·        Create a database for staff to identify film screening opportunities/festivals for both Appalshop and regional films

·        Research past and potential funding sources that Appalshop can pursue

·        Research new community and national partnerships that strengthen the program with new opportunities

Qualifications:

·       United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

·       Must be 18 years of age

·       High School graduate or GED

·       Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements

·       Typically, this position is expected to serve full-time (35-40 hours), but exact schedules may vary. 

·       Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

·       Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

·       Member will receive a Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) from VISTA on their first day of service.

Benefits:

·        Segal AmeriCorps Education Award* of $7,395.00

o   or choice of cash stipend of ~$1,800.00

·        Living Allowance of $68.39 per day, disbursed every 2 weeks

·        Cellphone stipend

·        Relocation Allowance ($750) if Eligible

·        Healthcare Coverage* if Eligible

·        Childcare Coverage* if Eligible

·        Loan forbearance if Eligible

·        Interest Payments if Eligible

·        Training and Professional Development Opportunities

·        Employee Wellness Program (access to a licensed, professional counselor and 24/7 support)

·        Non-Competitive Eligibility* (NCE) status upon successful completion of the term

·        Networking and Mentorship

*For more information regarding the Segal Education Award, check out this link as well as alternative uses for the award here.

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.

*For more information regarding the AmeriCorps VISTA Childcare benefit, please visit https://americorpschildcare.com/.

*For details about Non-Competitive Eligibility, please visit https://my.americorps.gov/trust/help/member_portal/non_competitive_eligibility_overview.htm.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps VISTA member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed their required year of service; the member has satisfactorily completed assignments; and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets, accomplishment tracking, and quarterly reporting.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

For VISTA related information, contact Addie Gilkerson, agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org

For site related information, contact Chad Hunter, chad@appalshop.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Salary : $24,962